How to Write 凳 (dèng) — Meaning “Stool”

Picture yourself climbing (登) onto a small stool (几). The top part 登 has many strokes that look like steps, and the bottom 几 is shaped like a simple stool.

The top part 登 has 13 strokes and must be written in the correct order, starting with a left-falling stroke. The bottom 几 should be wider than the top to keep the character balanced. A common mistake is making the 几 too narrow.

凳子 (dèng zi) is the general word for any stool or bench. 板凳 (bǎn dèng) means a wooden stool, often used in kitchens or simple settings. 长凳 (cháng dèng) is a long bench for several people to sit on.

凳 is used for simple seating without a backrest, such as stools in homes, parks, or restaurants. In Chinese culture, low stools are common for sitting at low tables or for children. Though not in HSK, this character is useful for everyday vocabulary about furniture.

Common words containing 凳 include: 凳子 (dèng zi) — Stool; bench; 板凳 (bǎn dèng) — wooden stool; 长凳 (zhǎng dèng) — bench.